Claim profile
1800–1899

The 19th century

Whose names filled the books of the 19th century — anyone at all, however long dead — counted as mentions per million words printed, so a period that simply published more does not inflate anyone.

Talked about then

Whose names appeared most in English books during the 19th century — whenever they lived.

In books written inEnglish18,114German3,599French3,347Italian1,787Spanish1,162Russian325Hebrew105Chinese9
  1. 1JesusJesus5 BC–30 · 1st century · Religious Figures94
  2. 2HomerHomer900 BC–800 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers15
  3. 3CiceroCicero106 BC–43 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians13
  4. 4AugustusAugustus63 BC–14 · 1st millennium BC · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians13
  5. 5PlatoPlato428 BC–348 BC · 1st millennium BC · Academics10
  6. 6VirgilVirgil70 BC–19 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers9.6
  7. 7AristotleAristotle384 BC–322 BC · 1st millennium BC · Academics9.4
  8. 8SocratesSocrates470 BC–399 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇧🇷 Brazil · Academics6.4
  9. 9HerodotusHerodotus484 BC–425 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Writers6.2
  10. 10Charles II, Duke of SavoyCharles II, Duke of Savoy1489–1496 · 15th century · Historical Figures5.9
  11. 11Charles II, Duke of Münsterberg-OelsCharles II, Duke of Münsterberg-Oels1545–1617 · 16th century · Historical Figures5.9
  12. 12Charles II, Lord of MonacoCharles II, Lord of Monaco1555–1589 · 16th century · Politicians5.9
  13. 13PlutarchPlutarch40–120 · 1st century · Academics5.6
  14. 14OvidOvid43 BC–17 · 1st millennium BC · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers4.2
  15. 15StraboStrabo63 BC–23 · 1st millennium BC · Academics4.1
  16. 16CharlemagneCharlemagne748–814 · 8th century · Historical Figures3.9
  17. 17DemosthenesDemosthenes384 BC–322 BC · 1st millennium BC · Politicians3.8
  18. 18Lord ByronLord Byron1788–1824 · 19th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers3.6
  19. 19Henry IV, Duke of LimburgHenry IV, Duke of Limburg1195–1247 · 13th century · Historical Figures3.5
  20. 20HIHenry IV, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg1463–1514 · 15th century · 🇩🇪 Germany3.5
  21. 21Henry IV, Holy Roman EmperorHenry IV, Holy Roman Emperor1050–1106 · 11th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures3.5
  22. 22Henry IV, Count of LuxembourgHenry IV, Count of Luxembourg1113–1196 · 12th century · Politicians3.5
  23. 23Henry IV, Duke of BrabantHenry IV, Duke of Brabant1251–1272 · 13th century3.5
  24. 24HIHenry IV, Count of Waldeck1300–1348 · 14th century3.5
  25. 25LivyLivy59 BC–17 · 1st millennium BC · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers3.4
  26. 26OrigenOrigen185–254 · 3rd century · 🇪🇬 Egypt · Academics3.1
  27. 27CleopatraCleopatra69 BC–30 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇪🇬 Egypt · Historical Figures3.0
  28. 28XenophonXenophon430 BC–354 BC · 1st millennium BC · Academics3.0
  29. 29Walter ScottWalter Scott1771–1832 · 19th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers3.0
  30. 30Henry III, Duke of GłogówHenry III, Duke of Głogów1251–1309 · 13th century · Politicians2.8
  31. 31Henry III, Count of GoriziaHenry III, Count of Gorizia1263–1323 · 13th century2.8
  32. 32Henry III, Holy Roman EmperorHenry III, Holy Roman Emperor1016–1056 · 11th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures2.8
  33. 33Henry III, Count of Schauenburg-HolsteinHenry III, Count of Schauenburg-Holstein1370–1421 · 15th century2.8
  34. 34Henry III, Duke of Münsterberg-OelsHenry III, Duke of Münsterberg-Oels1542–1587 · 16th century2.8
  35. 35Henry III, Margrave of Baden-HachbergHenry III, Margrave of Baden-Hachberg1300–1330 · 14th century · Models2.8
  36. 36Henry III, Count of LouvainHenry III, Count of Louvain1060–1095 · 11th century · Politicians2.8
  37. 37HIHenry III, Count of Luxembourg1070–1096 · 11th century · Historical Figures2.8
  38. 38TertullianTertullian160–240 · 2nd century · Academics2.7
  39. 39James II, Count of UrgellJames II, Count of Urgell1388–1433 · 15th century2.6
  40. 40Robert PeelRobert Peel1788–1850 · 19th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Politicians2.6
  41. 41Henry VII, Holy Roman EmperorHenry VII, Holy Roman Emperor1275–1313 · 14th century · 🇫🇷 France2.6
  42. 42PericlesPericles494 BC–429 BC · 1st millennium BC · Politicians2.5
  43. 43Henry VIHenry VI1376–1454 · 15th century2.5
  44. 44Henry VI, Count of LuxembourgHenry VI, Count of Luxembourg1240–1288 · 13th century · Politicians2.5
  45. 45HVHenry VI, Count of Waldeck1340–1397 · 14th century2.5
  46. 46John Russell, 1st Earl of BedfordJohn Russell, 1st Earl of Bedford1485–1555 · 16th century · Politicians2.4
  47. 47EuclidEuclid333 BC–285 BC · 1st millennium BC · Academics2.4
  48. 48John the BaptistJohn the Baptist6 BC–30 · 1st century · 🇮🇱 Israel · Religious Figures2.4
  49. 49Henry II, Holy Roman EmperorHenry II, Holy Roman Emperor973–1024 · 11th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures2.3
  50. 50Henry IIHenry II1207–1248 · 13th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians2.3
  51. 51Henry II, Duke of Münsterberg-OelsHenry II, Duke of Münsterberg-Oels1507–1548 · 16th century2.3
  52. 52Henry II, Duke of ZiębiceHenry II, Duke of Ziębice1396–1420 · 15th century2.3
  53. 53Henry II, Duke of Brunswick-GrubenhagenHenry II, Duke of Brunswick-Grubenhagen1289–1351 · 14th century · Historical Figures2.3
  54. 54Henry II, Count of ChampagneHenry II, Count of Champagne1166–1197 · 12th century · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures2.3
  55. 55Henry II, Prince of Anhalt-AscherslebenHenry II, Prince of Anhalt-Aschersleben1215–1266 · 13th century · Historical Figures2.3
  56. 56Henry II, Count of Holstein-RendsburgHenry II, Count of Holstein-Rendsburg1317–1390 · 14th century2.3
  57. 57Henry II , Duke of Lower LorraineHenry II , Duke of Lower Lorraine1059–1119 · 11th century2.3
  58. 58Henry II, Duke of ŚwidnicaHenry II, Duke of Świdnica1312–1345 · 14th century2.3
  59. 59HIHenry II, Margrave of the Nordmark1102–1128 · 12th century2.3
  60. 60Henry II, Margrave of Brandenburg-StendalHenry II, Margrave of Brandenburg-Stendal1308–1320 · 14th century · Models2.3
  61. 61OthoOtho32–69 · 1st century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians2.3
  62. 62TrajanTrajan53–117 · 1st century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politicians2.3
  63. 63BedeBede672–735 · 8th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers2.3
  64. 64SolonSolon630 BC–560 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers2.2
  65. 65EuripidesEuripides480 BC–406 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers2.2
  66. 66ThucydidesThucydides460 BC–395 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers2.1
  67. 67PythagorasPythagoras582 BC–490 BC · 1st millennium BC · Academics2.1
  68. 68PindarPindar517 BC–437 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers2.0
  69. 69Richard IIRichard II963–1026 · 10th century · 🇫🇷 France1.9
  70. 70Julius CaesarJulius Caesar100 BC–44 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians1.9
  71. 71SophoclesSophocles496 BC–406 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers1.9
  72. 72John SmithJohn Smith1580–1631 · 17th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Historical Figures1.8
  73. 73VespasianVespasian9–79 · 1st century · Politicians1.8
  74. 74AristophanesAristophanes445 BC–385 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers1.8
  75. 75William HenryWilliam Henry1774–1836 · 19th century · Scientists1.7
  76. 76Ben JonsonBen Jonson1572–1637 · 17th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers1.7
  77. 77Alexander the GreatAlexander the Great356 BC–323 BC · 1st millennium BC · Historical Figures1.7
  78. 78HippocratesHippocrates460 BC–370 BC · 1st millennium BC · Doctors1.7
  79. 79AlcibiadesAlcibiades450 BC–404 BC · 1st millennium BC · Politicians1.6
  80. 80AhabAhab918 BC–852 BC · 1st millennium BC · Models1.6
  81. 81Isaac NewtonIsaac Newton1642–1727 · 17th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Academics1.6
  82. 82WIWilliam III, Duke of Aquitaine910–963 · 10th century1.6
  83. 83WIWilliam III, Marquess of Montferrat970–1042 · 11th century · Historical Figures1.6
  84. 84WIWilliam III, Count of Burgundy1110–1127 · 12th century · Historical Figures1.6
  85. 85William III, Duke of BavariaWilliam III, Duke of Bavaria1375–1435 · 15th century · Historical Figures1.6
  86. 86William III, Count of ToulouseWilliam III, Count of Toulouse975–1037 · 11th century · Historical Figures1.6
  87. 87WIWilliam III, Count of Jülich1150–1218 · 12th century · Historical Figures1.6
  88. 88WIWilliam III, Count of Genevaborn 1280 · 14th century1.6
  89. 89John BullJohn Bull1562–1628 · 16th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Musicians1.6
  90. 90George II, Duke of Württemberg-MontbéliardGeorge II, Duke of Württemberg-Montbéliard1626–1699 · 17th century1.6
  91. 91George II, Duke of BriegGeorge II, Duke of Brieg1523–1586 · 16th century1.6
  92. 92George II, Duke of Münsterberg-OelsGeorge II, Duke of Münsterberg-Oels1512–1553 · 16th century1.6
  93. 93PolybiusPolybius200 BC–120 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers1.5
  94. 94GalenGalen129–300 · 2nd century · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Doctors1.5
  95. 95HadrianHadrian76–138 · 2nd century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures1.5
  96. 96LucretiusLucretius94 BC–55 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers1.5
  97. 97LucanLucan39–65 · 1st century · Writers1.4
  98. 98William JonesWilliam Jones1746–1794 · 18th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Academics1.4
  99. 99William the ConquerorWilliam the Conqueror1028–1087 · 11th century · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures1.4

Lived then

The most notable people whose working lives fell in the 19th century, ranked where Wikipedia coverage and readership agree.

CountryAll🇺🇸 United States🇫🇷 France🇩🇪 Germany🇬🇧 United Kingdom🇮🇹 Italy🇪🇸 Spain🇯🇵 Japan🇦🇹 Austria🇹🇷 Turkey🇸🇪 Sweden
FieldAllPoliticiansWritersHistorical FiguresScientistsAcademicsArtistsMusiciansDoctorsFoundersJournalists
  1. 1Vincent van GoghVincent van Gogh1853–1890 · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Artists12 decades
  2. 2Claude MonetClaude Monet1840–1926 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists14 decades
  3. 3Paul CézannePaul Cézanne1839–1906 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists12 decades
  4. 4Paul GauguinPaul Gauguin1848–1903 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists13 decades
  5. 5Gustav KlimtGustav Klimt1862–1918 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Artists12 decades
  6. 6Edvard MunchEdvard Munch1863–1944 · 🇳🇴 Norway · Artists7 decades
  7. 7Pierre-Auguste RenoirPierre-Auguste Renoir1841–1919 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists12 decades
  8. 8Eugène DelacroixEugène Delacroix1798–1863 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists20 decades
  9. 9Caspar David FriedrichCaspar David Friedrich1774–1840 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Artists11 decades
  10. 10Auguste RodinAuguste Rodin1840–1917 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists14 decades
  11. 11J. M. W. TurnerJ. M. W. Turner1775–1851 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Artists22 decades
  12. 12Ilya RepinIlya Repin1844–1930 · Artists10 decades
  13. 13Henri de Toulouse-LautrecHenri de Toulouse-Lautrec1864–1901 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists10 decades
  14. 14Édouard ManetÉdouard Manet1832–1883 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists15 decades
  15. 15Jean-Auguste-Dominique IngresJean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres1780–1867 · 🇫🇷 France · Artistsnot measured—
  16. 16Edgar DegasEdgar Degas1834–1917 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists11 decades
  17. 17Gustave CourbetGustave Courbet1819–1877 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists16 decades
  18. 18Ivan AivazovskyIvan Aivazovsky1817–1900 · Artists2 decades
  19. 19Camille PissarroCamille Pissarro1830–1903 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists13 decades
  20. 20Viktor VasnetsovViktor Vasnetsov1848–1926 · Artists10 decades
  21. 21Berthe MorisotBerthe Morisot1841–1895 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists13 decades
  22. 22Henri RousseauHenri Rousseau1844–1910 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists12 decades
  23. 23Gustave DoréGustave Doré1832–1883 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists17 decades
  24. 24Alphonse MuchaAlphonse Mucha1860–1939 · Artists1 decades
  25. 25Wilhelm BuschWilhelm Busch1832–1908 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Artists15 decades
  26. 26Georges SeuratGeorges Seurat1859–1891 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists11 decades
  27. 27William MorrisWilliam Morris1834–1896 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Artists19 decades
  28. 28Ivan ShishkinIvan Shishkin1831–1898 · Artists9 decades
  29. 29Mary CassattMary Cassatt1844–1926 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artists12 decades
  30. 30Théodore GéricaultThéodore Géricault1791–1824 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists7 decades
  31. 31NadarNadar1820–1910 · 🇫🇷 France · Artistsnot measured—
  32. 32Karl BryullovKarl Bryullov1799–1852 · Artists11 decades
  33. 33Camille ClaudelCamille Claudel1864–1943 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists11 decades
  34. 34Alfred SisleyAlfred Sisley1839–1899 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists9 decades
  35. 35Victoria, Princess RoyalVictoria, Princess Royal1840–1901 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Artists0 decades
  36. 36Jean-François MilletJean-François Millet1814–1875 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists13 decades
  37. 37John Singer SargentJohn Singer Sargent1856–1925 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artists11 decades
  38. 38Isaac LevitanIsaac Levitan1860–1900 · Artists7 decades
  39. 39Max LiebermannMax Liebermann1847–1935 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Artists13 decades
  40. 40Arkhip KuindzhiArkhip Kuindzhi1841–1910 · Artists2 decades
  41. 41Jean-Baptiste-Camille CorotJean-Baptiste-Camille Corot1796–1875 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists7 decades
  42. 42Honoré DaumierHonoré Daumier1808–1879 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists13 decades
  43. 43Vasily VereshchaginVasily Vereshchagin1842–1904 · Artists8 decades
  44. 44Vasily SurikovVasily Surikov1848–1916 · Artists8 decades
  45. 45Frédéric Auguste BartholdiFrédéric Auguste Bartholdi1834–1904 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists4 decades
  46. 46John ConstableJohn Constable1776–1837 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Artists22 decades
  47. 47William-Adolphe BouguereauWilliam-Adolphe Bouguereau1825–1905 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists5 decades
  48. 48Rosa BonheurRosa Bonheur1822–1899 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists18 decades
  49. 49Ivan KramskoiIvan Kramskoi1837–1887 · Artists11 decades
  50. 50Paul SignacPaul Signac1863–1935 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists13 decades
  51. 51HiroshigeHiroshige1797–1858 · 🇯🇵 Japan · Artistsnot measured—
  52. 52James Abbott McNeill WhistlerJames Abbott McNeill Whistler1834–1903 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artists12 decades
  53. 53Gustave CaillebotteGustave Caillebotte1848–1894 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists5 decades
  54. 54Mikhail VrubelMikhail Vrubel1856–1910 · Artists9 decades
  55. 55Odilon RedonOdilon Redon1840–1916 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists14 decades
  56. 56Jean-Léon GérômeJean-Léon Gérôme1824–1904 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists4 decades
  57. 57Arnold BöcklinArnold Böcklin1827–1901 · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Artists14 decades
  58. 58Joseph MerrickJoseph Merrick1862–1890 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Artists0 decades
  59. 59Gustave MoreauGustave Moreau1826–1898 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists16 decades
  60. 60John James AudubonJohn James Audubon1785–1851 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artists19 decades
  61. 61Eadweard MuybridgeEadweard Muybridge1830–1904 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Artists7 decades
  62. 62John Everett MillaisJohn Everett Millais1829–1896 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Artists13 decades
  63. 63Joaquín SorollaJoaquín Sorolla1863–1923 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Artists13 decades
  64. 64Niko PirosmaniNiko Pirosmani1862–1918 · Artists6 decades
  65. 65Anders ZornAnders Zorn1860–1920 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Artists4 decades
  66. 66Carlos I of PortugalCarlos I of Portugal1863–1908 · 🇵🇹 Portugal · Artists0 decades
  67. 67Édouard-Henri AvrilÉdouard-Henri Avril1849–1928 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists5 decades
  68. 68Margaret of SavoyMargaret of Savoy1851–1926 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists17 decades
  69. 69Hilma af KlintHilma af Klint1862–1944 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Artists0 decades
  70. 70James EnsorJames Ensor1860–1949 · Artists13 decades
  71. 71Jan MatejkoJan Matejko1838–1893 · Artists3 decades
  72. 72Carl LarssonCarl Larsson1853–1919 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Artists4 decades
  73. 73John William WaterhouseJohn William Waterhouse1849–1917 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists0 decades
  74. 74Alfred StieglitzAlfred Stieglitz1864–1946 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artists13 decades
  75. 75Anna Pavlovna of RussiaAnna Pavlovna of Russia1795–1865 · Artists0 decades
  76. 76Raja Ravi VarmaRaja Ravi Varma1848–1906 · 🇮🇳 India · Artists0 decades
  77. 77Aubrey BeardsleyAubrey Beardsley1872–1898 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Artists13 decades
  78. 78Alexandre CabanelAlexandre Cabanel1823–1889 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists6 decades
  79. 79Tokugawa YoshinobuTokugawa Yoshinobu1837–1913 · 🇯🇵 Japan · Artists0 decades
  80. 80Luís I of PortugalLuís I of Portugal1838–1889 · 🇵🇹 Portugal · Artistsnot measured—
  81. 81Lawrence Alma-TademaLawrence Alma-Tadema1836–1912 · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Artists1 decades
  82. 82Thomas ColeThomas Cole1801–1848 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artists22 decades
  83. 83Frédéric BazilleFrédéric Bazille1841–1870 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists9 decades
  84. 84Eugène BoudinEugène Boudin1824–1898 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists12 decades
  85. 85Francesco HayezFrancesco Hayez1791–1882 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists20 decades
  86. 86James TissotJames Tissot1836–1902 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists14 decades
  87. 87Winslow HomerWinslow Homer1836–1910 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artists15 decades
  88. 88Frederic Edwin ChurchFrederic Edwin Church1826–1900 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artists3 decades
  89. 89William Holman HuntWilliam Holman Hunt1827–1910 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Artists5 decades
  90. 90Edward Burne-JonesEdward Burne-Jones1833–1898 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Artists13 decades
  91. 91Julia Margaret CameronJulia Margaret Cameron1815–1879 · 🇮🇳 India · Artists5 decades
  92. 92Bertel ThorvaldsenBertel Thorvaldsen1770–1844 · Artists1 decades
  93. 93Edward LearEdward Lear1812–1888 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Artists15 decades
  94. 94Vasily PerovVasily Perov1833–1882 · Artists8 decades
  95. 95Albert BierstadtAlbert Bierstadt1830–1902 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artists6 decades
  96. 96Frederic LeightonFrederic Leighton1830–1896 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Artists5 decades
  97. 97Albert EdelfeltAlbert Edelfelt1854–1905 · Artists0 decades
  98. 98Grandma MosesGrandma Moses1860–1961 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artists8 decades
  99. 99Henry van de VeldeHenry van de Velde1863–1957 · Artists7 decades
  100. 100Utagawa KuniyoshiUtagawa Kuniyoshi1798–1861 · 🇯🇵 Japan · Artists0 decades

How this is measured

  • Placing people in time. Each person belongs to the century in which they were most active — around age 35, and never after their death.
  • Who ranks highest. Within a century, people are ranked where two independent signals agree: how many of the world’s Wikipedia language editions cover them, and how many people actually read about them. Article counts alone can be lifted by a person’s own circle; readers cannot.
  • Fame in print. The curves count how often a name appears in Google Books from 1800 to 2019, as a share of all the words printed each year, in the person’s own language wherever that corpus exists. Those decades are over, so each measurement is made once and kept.
  • What is left out. A lifetime is measured only from 1820, when there is enough print to judge; the five years after a death are skipped as obituaries; and a name shared with someone equally notable is credited to neither.